With an elevation of 7,649 metres (25,095 ft), it is also the highest mountain outside of the Hindu Kush/Karakoram and Himalaya ranges.

Kongur Tagh is located just north of Muztagh Ata and visible from Karakul Lake.

Due to its remoteness and being hidden by nearby peaks, Kongur was not discovered by Europeans until 1900.

However, the building of the Karakoram Highway from Pakistan to China, which runs past nearby Tashkurgan and Karakul Lake, has now made it more accessible.

The first ascent of Kongur Tagh was made in 1981 by a British expedition consisting of Chris Bonington, Alan Rouse, Peter Boardman and Joe Tasker.